HB 6856 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING CONSUMER PRODUCTS, ABNORMAL ECONOMIC DISRUPTIONS AND PRECIPITATING EVENTS.

HB 6856 requires the University of Connecticut to study how vendors reduced consumer product sizes or quantities between 2005 and 2025. It defines "abnormal economic disruption" as supply chain breakdowns during disasters (e.g., floods, pandemics) affecting essential goods like food, medicine, or diapers. The Attorney General can issue notices about such disruptions, restricting vendors from charging "unconscionably excessive" prices (grossly disproportionate to pre-disruption costs without valid justification) during the notice period. Notices expire after 60 days and can be disapproved by the legislature within 72 hours.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Last action Mar 31, 2025

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → GL Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a new study requirement for the University of Connecticut School of Business to analyze vendor practices regarding product size reductions, and to expand the definition of 'precipitating events' to include federal major disaster declarations. The bill's title was reordered to prioritize consumer products, and the effective date was changed from July 1, 2025 to passage.

Scope change

The bill now includes a requirement for a study on product downsizing practices and expands the types of events that trigger price regulation protections.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for the University of Connecticut School of Business to conduct a study on vendor efforts to reduce product quantities, amounts, weights, or sizes from May 1, 2005 to April 30, 2025, with a report due by October 1, 2025.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'precipitating event' to include a major disaster or emergency declaration issued by the President of the United States.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the bill from July 1, 2025 to 'from passage'.

TECHNICAL

Reordered the title of the act to prioritize 'consumer products' over 'abnormal economic disruptions' and 'precipitating events'.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors